Internal organs, such as the Liver, Gall bladder, Kidney, Pancreas and prostate gland

Heart and blood vessels including angiography

Gynecology – Uterus, ovaries, and Breasts for various tumors etc

Pregnancy – To look for any defects in fetus developing within the uterus

The results of an MRI scan can be used to help diagnose conditions, plan treatments and assess how effective previous treatment has been.

What happens during an MRI scan?

During an MRI scan, the patient lies on a flatbed that’s moved into the scanner. Depending on the part of your body being scanned, you’ll be moved into the scanner either head first or feet first.

Figure: MRI machine

The MRI scanner is operated by a radiographer, who is trained in carrying out imaging investigations. They control the scanner using a computer, which is in a different room, to keep it away from the magnetic field generated by the scanner.

You’ll be able to talk to the radiographer through an intercom and they’ll be able to see you on a television monitor throughout the scan.

At certain times during the scan, the scanner will make loud tapping noises. This is the electric current in the scanner coils being turned on and off. You’ll be given earplugs or headphones to wear.

It’s very important to keep as still as possible during your MRI scan. The scan lasts 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned and how many images are taken.

How does an MRI scan work?

Most of the human body is made up of water molecules, which consist of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. At the center of each hydrogen atom is an even smaller particle, called a proton. Protons are like tiny magnets and are very sensitive to magnetic fields.

When you lie under the powerful scanner magnets, the protons in your body line up in the same direction, in the same way, that a magnet can pull the needle of a compass.

Short bursts of radio waves are then sent to certain areas of the body, knocking the protons out of alignment. When the radio waves are turned off, the protons realign. This sends out radio signals, which are picked up by receivers.

These signals provide information about the exact location of the protons in the body. They also help to distinguish between the various types of tissue in the body, because the protons in different types of tissue realign at different speeds and produce distinct signals.

In the same way that millions of pixels on a computer screen can create complex pictures, the signals from the millions of protons in the body are combined to create a detailed image of the inside of the body.

Safety

An MRI scan is a painless and very safe procedure. You may find it uncomfortable if you have claustrophobia, but most people find this manageable with support from the radiographer. Going into the scanner feet first may be easier, although this is not always possible.

MRI scans don’t involve exposing the body to X-ray radiation. This means people who may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of radiation, such as pregnant women and babies, can use them if necessary.

However, not everyone can have an MRI scan. For example, they’re not always possible for people who have certain types of implants fitted, such as a pacemaker (a battery-operated device that helps to control an irregular heartbeat).

On very rare occasions, a few patients experience side effects from the contrast material, including nausea, headache, and pain at the site of injection. Similarly, patients are very rarely allergic to the contrast material and experience hives, itchy eyes or other reactions.

Extensive research has been carried out into whether the magnetic fields and radio waves used during MRI scans could pose a risk to the human body. No evidence has been found to suggest there’s a risk, which means MRI scans are one of the safest medical procedures currently available.

How it’s performed

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a painless procedure that lasts 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned and the number of images being taken.

Before the scan

On the day of your MRI scan, you should be able to eat, drink and take any medication as usual, unless advised otherwise.

In some cases, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything for up to four hours before the scan, and sometimes you may be asked to drink a fairly large amount of water beforehand. This depends on the area being scanned.

Continue to take all your normal medications, unless you are otherwise advised when you make the booking for your MRI scan.

Please bring any previous X-ray, computed tomography or ultrasound films. The radiologist might like to review the older studies or see if your condition has changed since your last scan.

When you arrive at the hospital, you’ll usually be asked to fill in a questionnaire about your health and medical history. This helps the medical staff to ensure you have the scan safely. Read more about who can and can’t have an MRI scan.

Once you’ve completed the questionnaire, you’ll usually be asked to give your signed consent for the scan to go ahead.

As the MRI scanner produces strong magnetic fields, it’s important to remove any metal objects from your body, including watches, jewellery, such as earrings and necklaces, piercings, such as ear, nipple and nose rings, dentures (false teeth), hearing aids, wigs (some wigs contain traces of metal)

Any valuables can usually be stored in a secure locker.

Depending on which part of your body is being scanned, you may need to wear a hospital gown during the procedure. If you do not need to wear a gown, you should wear clothes without metal zips, fasteners, buttons, underwire (bras), belts or buckles.

Contrast Dye

Some MRI scans involve having an injection of contrast dye. This makes certain tissues and blood vessels show up more clearly and in greater detail.

You should also let the staff know if you have a history of allergic reactions or any blood clotting problems before having the injection.

Anesthesia and sedatives

An MRI scan is a painless procedure, so anesthesia (painkilling medication) isn’t usually required. If you’re claustrophobic, you can ask for a mild sedative to help you relax – you should ask your GP or consultant well in advance of having the scan.

If you decide to have a sedative during the scan, you’ll need to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home afterward, as you won’t be able to drive for 24 hours.

A general anesthetic is often used when young children and babies have an MRI scan. This is because it’s very important to stay still during the scan, which young children and babies are often unable to do when they’re awake.

During the scan

An MRI scanner is a short cylinder that’s open at both ends. You’ll lie on a motorized bed that’s moved inside the scanner. You’ll enter the scanner either head first or feet first, depending on the part of your body being scanned.

In some cases, a frame called coil may be placed over the body part being scanned, such as the head or chest. This frame contains receivers that pick up the signals sent out by your body during the scan and it can help to create a better-quality image.

A computer is used to operate the MRI scanner, which is located in a different room to keep it away from the magnetic field generated by the scanner.

The radiographer operates the computer, so they’ll also be in a separate room to you. However, you’ll be able to talk to them, usually through an intercom, and they’ll be able to see you at all times on a television monitor.

While you’re having your scan, a friend or family member may be allowed to stay in the room with you. Children can usually have a parent with them. Anyone who stays with you will be asked whether they have a pacemaker or any other metal objects in their body. They’ll also have to follow the same guidelines regarding clothing and removing metallic objects.

To avoid the images being blurred, it’s very important to keep the part of your body being scanned still throughout the whole of the scan until the radiographer tells you to relax.

A single scan may take from a few seconds to three or four minutes. You may be asked to hold your breath during short scans. Depending on the size of the area being scanned and how many images are taken, the whole procedure will take 15 to 90 minutes.

The MRI scanner will make loud tapping noises at certain times during the procedure. This is the electric current in the scanner coils being turned on and off. You’ll be given earplugs or headphones to wear.

You’re usually able to listen to music through headphones during the scan if you want to, and in some cases, you can bring your own CD.

You’ll be moved out of the scanner when your scan is over.

After the scan

An MRI scan is usually carried out as an outpatient procedure. This means you won’t need to stay in the hospital overnight. After the scan, you can resume normal activities immediately.

However, if you’ve had a sedative, a friend or relative will need to take you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. It’s not safe to drive, operate heavy machinery or drink alcohol for 24 hours after having a sedative.

Your MRI scan needs to be studied by a radiologist (a doctor trained in interpreting scans and X-rays) and possibly discussed with other specialists. This means it’s unlikely you’ll know the results of your scan immediately.

The radiologist will send a report to the doctor who arranged the scan, who will discuss the results with you. It usually takes a week or two for the results of an MRI scan to come through, unless they’re needed urgently.

Who can have one

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is very safe and most people can have the procedure, including pregnant women and babies.

However, there are some instances where an MRI scan may not be recommended because the strong magnets used during the scan can affect any metal implants or fragments in your body.

Before having an MRI scan, you should tell medical staff if You think you have any metal in your body – Having something metallic in your body doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have an MRI scan, but it’s important for medical staff carrying out the scan to be aware of it. They can decide on a case-by-case basis if there are any risks, or if further measures need to be taken to ensure the scan is as safe as possible. Some examples of metal implants or fragments include: pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), metal plates, wires, screws or rods used during surgery for bone fractures, a cochlear implant inside the ear, metallic fragments in or near your eyes or blood vessels (common in people who do welding or metalwork for a living), prosthetic (artificial) metal heart valves

How long does it take to get an MRI done and get the results of an MRI?

The scan can take between 10 minutes to over an hour to complete. This depends on the part of the body being imaged and what type of MRI is required to show the information. Before the scan begins, the radiographer will tell you how long the scan takes, so you know what to expect.

The turnaround time for an MRI scan depends on the radiologists’ schedule. At many medical centers, the radiologist may interpret the scan and write a report on the order of several hours to one day. From that point, it is up to the physician who ordered the MRI scan to share the results with the patient.

What are the benefits of MRI?

MRI has no known long-term harmful effects, provided the safety precautions are followed. MRI does not use radiation. Avoiding the need for exposure to radiation (X-rays) is of significant benefit to younger people and children, and MRI can also be used safely in pregnancy if required.

MRI is capable of providing your doctor with a wide range of information about your body and particular diseases or conditions you might have. It can show certain conditions that other tests can’t show. The benefits of MRI depend on the part of the body being imaged, and specific benefits are covered in individual items on this website (see Breast MRI or MRI of the Rectum, for example).

MRI can image most parts of the body in any direction to obtain maximum information and provides this information in high-quality images. These images give accurate details about certain processes or structures within the body and can also provide information as data or graphs.

Figure 1. MRI of the brain.

Figure 2. MRI of the whole spine.

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1 Comment found

It used to be a heck lot confusing. Got some clarity with this blog. “MRI has no known long-term harmful effects, provided the safety precautions are followed. MRI does not use radiation.” Thanks for the info.